Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Panthers' win gives Youngstown State sole possession of the league title.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Eric Sanders threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as Northern Iowa beat Illinois State 38-27 Saturday to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Northern Iowa (7-4, 5-2 Gateway) built a 28-7 lead in the first half and used a dominating ground attack to seal the win.
Corey Lewis rushed 16 times for 113 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Northern Iowa scored on three of its next four drives and built a 14-point lead in the second quarter after Victor Williams threw a 57-yard option pass to Johnny Gray.
Sanders rushed for a 1-yard TD early in the fourth to extend the lead to 35-20.
Illinois State (8-3, 5-2) collected 483 yards of offense but couldn't keep pace with two turnovers that the Panthers turned into touchdowns.
Pierre Rembert rushed for 210 yards on 38 carries, scoring twice on the ground and catching a 37-yard TD from Luke Drone that pulled Illinois State within 35-27 with 10:23 left.
Drone was 19-of-29 for 258 yards and two interceptions.
Brian Wingert sealed the Panthers' win with a 21-yard field goal -- setting a school record with 60 career field goals.
The Panthers win makes Youngstown State the outright champion of the conference.
Both teams are hoping for at-large bids into the Division I-AA playoffs. Pairing will be announced this afternoon.
S. Illinois 59, S. Utah 0
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Arkee Whitlock ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to lead Southern Illinois.
Southern Illinois (8-3) rolled up 571 yards of total offense, with 425 yards coming on the ground, and scored at least 10 points in each quarter.
Whitlock carried 22 times, scoring on runs of 41, 1 and 4 yards. All three touchdowns came in the first half.
Southern Illinois led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, and 35-0 at halftime.
John Randle ran for 130 yards on 16 carries for the Salukis. Quarterback Nick Hill completed 7-of-9 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Hill also ran for 72 yards and a score.
Wes Marshall completed 19-of-41 passes for 166 yards and one interception for Southern Utah (3-8). The Thunderbirds were held to 178 yards of total offense.
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